THE problem of secularism is that it promotes a social order this is neither connected to religion nor critical of it. It denies the influence of religion in our social order. It simply wants to be guided by a certain consensus derived from what is...
ONCE again, we are reminded of our duty to always give good example to others in that gospel reading of Monday of the 32nd Week in Ordinary Time. This is a duty that has a very delicate part since as Christ warned us, “It is...
A cycle is a period within which a sequence of regularly recurring events completes itself. “Apocalypse” is a Greek term meaning “disclosure” or “revelation”; in Christian theology, it refers to the last book of the New Testament, which describes the signs of the end of...
Now that it’s November families are coming to gather to honor their loved ones who have passed, visiting cemeteries to tidy gravesites and repaint tombstones in loving remembrance. Offering prayers, sharing food, and coming together to commemorate the departed has become a deeply cherished Catholic...
(An excerpt of the homily of the Most Rev. Romulo G. Valles, D.D., during the 31st Sunday in Ordinary Time – November 3, 2024 at San Pedro Cathedral Parish.) Nabati nato ang readings karon, commandments, command. These are in your hearts, in your very person, It’s...
This marks the fifth year that the Archdiocese of Davao celebrates a week-long program honoring the saints. It’s encouraging to see that some private companies are going out of their way to support this archdiocesan initiative. The program serves as an opportunity for evangelization, strategically...
DEFINITELY, this is a big challenge for all of us who try to follow by what Christ teaches us. In that gospel episode where he faulted the scribes for being showy of what they were doing and praised a poor widow who put in two...
THIS is the challenge we have to face in this life. Christ told us in no uncertain terms that we should “be shrewd as a serpent, yet innocent as a dove.” (Mt 10,16) And that’s because in this life we cannot avoid having to deal...
THE lesson we can draw from the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin (cfr. Lk 15,1-10) is very clear. We need to give special attention and exert special effort to recover those who have lost their way toward God. This is the...
DISCIPLESHIP, as described by Christ, may command a very steep price since it involves a heavy cost, but it actually gives us the best deal. Yes, it demands total detachment from earthly things, even to the extent of “hating one’s father and mother, wife and...